9-i o December
and also the Duke of York and the Duke of Kent. Mr. Walter
Monckton and Sir Godfrey Thomas, the King's Private
Secretary, have spent much of the day in consultation at
Downing Street.
A DISPUTE BETWEEN FRANCE AND TURKEY
There has for long been a dispute between the Turkish and
French Governments on the question of Alexandretta and
Antioch. The Turkish Government have now requested a
special session of the Council of the League of Nations to
decide this matter. Turkey asks for virtual independence in the
Sanjak of Alexandretta, but France replies that their rights are
fully guaranteed under the Franco-Syrian Treaty. It is felt
that independence would make the Sanjak an easy prey for all
kinds of international intrigues and disturbances. The French
say that the Turkish inhabitants of Alexandretta form no more
than 39 per cent of the total population, but the Turkish
Government claims that 80 per cent are Turkish.
AN AIR CRASH AT PURLEY
An air-liner of the Royal Dutch Air Lines, with thirteen
passengers and four crew, crashed in the fog in Hill Crest
Road, Purley. All but three were killed.
THE TEST MATCH
The English cricket team in Australia has won the first
Test Match by 322 runs. In the first innings England made
318; the Australians answered with 334. In the second innings
England reached 356, but in their second innings the Aus-
tralians collapsed and were all out for 58.
Thursday 10 KING EDWARD vin ABDICATES
King Edward VIII announced his abdication to both Houses
of Parliament to-day.
At the end of questions, Mr. Baldwin rose from the Treasury
Bench and walked to the Bar of the House. Turning and facing
the Speaker, he announced, amid dead silence:
"A message from His Majesty the King, signed by His
Majesty's own hand."
After bowing to the Chair, he advanced and handed the
message to the Speaker, who read it, as follows:
"After long and anxious consideration, I have determined to
renounce the Throne to which I succeeded on the death of
my father, and I am now communicating this, my final and
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